The exhibition “Time Spent”, on view at Gallery 57 from October 12 to November 2, 2024, presents works by the artists Alexandra Yan Wong and Oliver Chalk. Both artists explore the theme of time and the search for meaning and identity in their work.
Oliver Chalk presents a new series of works that offers a quiet reflection on time in dialogue with natural and man-made materials. The artist questions our increasing dissociation from our original purpose and advocates consciously experiencing discomfort in order to develop a deeper sense of self. His works celebrate the richness that comes from venturing off the beaten track and show how work and experience can lead to self-discovery.
Alexandra Yan Wong complements the exhibition with her collection of paintings, which also embody the pursuit of meaning through action. The British Chinese artist uses layers of different materials to depict space and time. In her work, past and present traditions and beliefs are reconciled. Wong’s background in linguistics and her penchant for aesthetics are incorporated into her art, in which she skillfully combines colors, brushstrokes, and materials. Her works emphasize tactile quality and narrative form through spatial arrangement and destruction, reflecting cross-cultural influences and the balance between being and the world.
The exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to reflect on the meaning of time and the pursuit of meaning in their own lives, inspiring them to explore new avenues of self-discovery.